Walking mechanism for toys and other articles



C. J. HARVEY. WALKING MECHANISM FOR TOYS AND OTHER ARTICLES.

v APPLICATION FILED JAN 30, I920. 1,430,371. a t dsept- 26, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

ikiijzfscs 3 [nae/2Z0): Charles Jame; fli'067,

. C. L HARVEY.

WALKING MECHANISM FOR TOYS AND' OTHER ARTlCLES.

' I APPLICATION rim) um 39. I920.

Patented Sept. 26, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- Fig.0.

F i I l I 1 I I I l l I l 4 L J 774225263503 I [12062223252 fim/ CkarlesJmasfiazw C. J. HARVEY. WALKING MECHANISM FOR TOYS AND OTHER ARTICLES. IAPPLICATION FILED JAN. 30, 1920. I 1,430,371 PatentedSept. 26, 1922;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 fli'iflss es [306122 02 W U/zrles Jameslfarae PatentedSept. 2d, 1922.

satires as one i t M0 CHARLES J HARVEY, OF KIZDDERIEINSTER, ENGLAND.

TALKING MECHANISM FOR TOYS AND OTHEBARTIOLES.

Application filed January 30, 1920. Serial No. 355,076.

Other Articles, ofwhich the following is a frame is employed from whichis supported the limbs or legs, a pin or rod itself held against lateraloscillatory motion being so associated with the frame as to permit thesaid frame to swing and the legs to describe arcs of circles at the sametime permitting the frame to oscillate laterally of the pin.

The present invention has for its object certain improvements designedto simplify /and/or improve the construction of mechanism of the kindreferred to.-

In accordance with the present invention the legs form part ofor areattached to an inverted substantially V-shaped element, said element asdistinguished from the arrangement forming the subject of the aforesaidLetters Patent, being carried directly by the toy figure or supportingbody, whereby the frameand pin or the like, employed in the formerarrangement are dispensed with.

The leg elements, according to the present invention, are moreover somounted or supported by the tOy or supporting body as to be able toswing to advance the legs alternately with a stepping movement when'thetoy or supporting body is moved or drawn along on a horizontal surface,the leg element at the same time being capable of both lateral andlongitudinal motion to enable the rearward leg to lift formovement toadvanced or forward position.

In order that the invention may be the better understood drawings areappended illustrating various forms of the invention in which Fig. 1 isa side elevation of one form of the invention as applied to a walkingfigure.

Fig. 2 is a front view.

Fig. 3 is a side view showing the invention applied to a representationof horse and cart.

Fig. a is a sectionalview showing more clearly the arrangement of thehind legs of the horse shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing an alternative form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is aside View of one of the legs detached from the figure.- t

vFig. 7 is'a front view of the plate whereby the legs are supported. M

Fig. 8 is a front view showing a further modification. v 1

Fig. .9 is a side view of one of the legs gmployed in the arrangementshown inFig.

Fig. 10 is an inverted plan view.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on line 'AA, Fig. 10 and, I

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view showing more clearly the operation of theparts.

Referring to the accompanying; drawings a Figs. 1 and 2 indicates thelegs of a human figure a which legs comprisean inverted substantiallyif-shaped leg "element the upper end of which a is of substantial Widthbeing cut away ata leaving two vertically disposed projections which, aswill be hereafter more fully explained, form stops whereby the extent ofthe lateral motion of the legs is limited. The figure a is slotted at asaid slot being inclined vertically from the front to the rear of thefigure. In-order to permit the legsto be introducedinto the slot themetal at the bottom of the said slot isincised at a thus enabling themetal to'be forced or sprung apart at this point for the passage of thepart a -of the legs. The edges of the metal after the legs have beeninserted in the slot are brought together by pressure or otherwise. Thewidth of the slota" is sufficient to accommodate the part a in a mannersuch that it is free to swing both in the vertical plane andtransversely of the line of the figure. In order that the figure a maybe supported and its oscillation prevented there is provided anextensionv b the lower end of which is of such width that when restingupon a tableyor other surface it presents a bearing surface of suchwidth as to enable the figure. to be held against lateral'movements.

In use the extension 6 is grasped by the hand the broad lower end ontrail 7)- of said extension being pressed "upon the surface over whichthe figure isv moved by pushing it along, the end or'trail 6' serving toprevent lateral oscillatory motion-of the body a.

may here be stated that it is essential to the proper working of thedevice either in the present form or any of the other forms hereafter tobe described that the following; conditions be observed. Referring toFig. 12: Assuming a vertical line to to be drawn from the shoulder ofthe figure to the groun l, it is essential that the centre line of theleg element be in advance of the vertical as w :0 when the legs aretransversely or substantially transversely of the body.

As the legs assume a position longitudinally with the body the centreline of the leg element changes to a position rearward-- ly of saidvertical towards the line 20 3, In effect this permits the forward legmembe. to reach point 2 clear oi the ground whilst the weight is stillcarried by the rearward leg member at 2 When the centre line or the legelement changes to w the forward leg member is caused to come to theground and the rearward leg member to be lifted at 2 In the arrangementshown in Figs. 3 and l the figure is provided with four legs each pairof legs being comprised by a substantially inverted v shaped leg elementsuch as a before referred to each pair or such legs being mounted ininclined slots stormed in the body c 01"" the animal. The body 0 is heldso that its lateral oscillation is prevented by securing it to a cart cprovided with wheels which are rigidly connected to a spindle 0 Thoughit is preferable it is not always essentia for the wheels to be fixed tothe spindle. Assuming the wheels are free on the spind e, the body ofthe toy, it the toy progressed slowly (il'lO'Llgll, vould have time toslide sideways with the spindle on the wheels sufficiently to neutralizethe leg action. ll ith increase of speed however the legs worlr'fasterand therefore the tendency of tne body to slide sideways is reduced tonil, or nearly so. But in all cases the body must be incapable ofrocking as if on a horizontal pivot.

In the arrangement just referred to the front legs of the animal assistin supporting the body 0, but the baclr'legs so mounted that whilst theymay contact with the ground to secure their operation they do not assistin supporting the figure. A pair of horses or other quadrupeds may befixed together when they will naturally support each other without thenecessity for providing any other means support, a cart 'for example.

In the case of four legged figures the support may either be in the formof a vehicle, or a second walking figure may be asso ciated with thefirst figure or any other convenient form of support may be provided. Inthe case of four legged figures in which the support in the manner abovereferred to is incoirvenientv or impossib'e, for example in the case ofor other animal in which the provision or vehicle would be incongruousor undesirable, the lorelegs may be arranged before described the hindbeing sutliciently spread to support the figure and at the same timebeing so arranged as to permit of their oscillation to an extent suicient to give an appearance of walking without upsetting the body.

The oscilla portion may carry exten sions rep entin the head, arms, orother part of the re, which, it desired, can partake of the somemovements, and said part may be made in one piece as in the em amplesbefore described, or it may be made in two or more parts meet theexigencies of the particular circumstances under WJlCll it is em? Themechanism may be exposed or it may be encased or enclosed in any suitalmanner.

' may be found in some instances that emi-rotation tlie legs, such astakes with the mechanism forming the subot the aforementioned patent, isobd to, as this motion prevents the emlo ient of legs having an outlinemore or orrespondi11;;- to tho natural outline of 1e luman or other loovercome the obje-cion the legs may be pivotally connected "0 thatportion of the mechanism engaging slot of the fi 'ure.

much an arran ement as that described is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and'2 where the legs indicated by 03 are perforated as shown at (Z andengage a plate 0? of the outline shown in Fig. 7. The upper end of plate6 is cut away as shown leaving projections (I at each end forming stopstor the pur olaincd. At the lower edge the plate is provided withrecesses which provide projections cl. The plate is disposed in aninclined perforation "formed in the figure, the parts, when assembled,being; subs antialiy as shown in Fig. 5.

.ln the foregoing description has been assumed the body, to which thelegs are applied, is formed of thin sheet metal. order that themechanism may be applied a thick body, for example the body of a woodenhorse, the operating piece or in other words that portion to which inthe foregoing description the legs have been attached, is made in twoparts of which one be in the form of a piece of sheet metal.

disposed within a slot formed transversely 'or the body of the horse,and the other second piece disposed beneath the body or the said horse.The slot in the body is of such width to permit the desired rockingmovement oi the part at a ri 'ht angle to the length or" the said bodyso as to provide the leg lilting; portion 01" the movement only, thepart disposed externally of the body partaking in the movements of thein ternal part and also providingthe leg swinging part of the movement,for which purpose it is preferably disposed under and clear of the saidbody. The legs are connected to both of the parts just above describedthe connection being pivotal or otherwise. The connection of the twoparts of the body of the horse may be by means of 8 to 11, may beemployed. In this case the limbs are pivotally connected at their upperends to the body a, the said limbs preferably being slotted as shown ata Fig. 9 for the passage of the pin 6 thereby permitting a certainamount of longitudinal movement on the part of the said leg. Disposedbeneath the body is a cross piece 7 at each end of which there isprovided an L-shaped extension the vertical limb of which freely ongages a socket 7' formed upon or secured to the inside of the leg. Oneor both of the L shaped extensions are so connected to the cross pieceas to permit it or them to turn in opposite directions sufficiently tofollow the movement of the-legs.

Freely-en aging the cross piece f is an eye f pivotally secured to thebody of the figure. f indicates stops designed to limit the movement ofthe legs,

In all cases stops are provided to prevent the leg line approaching tooclosely to the centre line of the body.

Alternatively the cross piece may be attached to the body by slot, pinor any other connection which will permit of the required movements, andcapable, if required,of supporting the weight of the body.

WVhilst throughout the foregoing description the invention is describedas being applied to toys, it will be understood that it may be appliedto other articles not intended for childrens use. For example to fancyor table articles, salt cellars for table use for instance in which thesalt receptacle is in the form of a cart drawn by a horse. The articlemay be made in silver, china or other metal or material capable of ahigh finish.

Having thus described my invention I with said surface one leg member ismoved body-supporting position, and the other leg member is lifted andmoved forwardly with a stepping motion; the leg members being spacedapart at their upper ends in adjacent opposite relation to each otherand diverging downwardly.

2. In mechanism for walking movement, the combination of, a bodyprovided with means for preventing lateral oscillatory motion thereof;and a leg element; the leg element comprising rigid leg members, andtransverse connecting means for coactively controlling the leg membersfor alternate movement thereof, whereby when said body is movedhorizontally along on a plane surface and the leg members arecontactable with said surface one leg member is moved to body-supportingposition, and the other. leg member is lifted and moved forwardly andoutwardly and inwardly in an arc with a stepping motion; the leg membersbeing spaced apart at their upper ends in adjacent opposite relation toeach other and diverging downwardly.

8. In a mechanism for walking movement, the combination of a supportingbody having means for preventing lateral osoillatory motion thereof; anda leg'element, the leg element comprising a bodyportion and rigid legmembers; the leg element being carried by said supporting body andarranged to swing when the supporting body is moved horizontally 'upon aplane surface and the leg members are contactable with said surface andthereby to advance the leg members alternately by lateral andlongitudinal oscillations thereof with a step.- ping movement.

4-. In a mechanism for walking movement, the combination of a supportingbody having means for preventing lateral oscillatory motion thereof; anda leg element, the leg element comprising a body portion and rigid legmembers; the leg element being carried by said supporting body andarranged to swing when the supporting body is moved horizontally upon aplane surface and the leg members are contactable with said surface andthereby to advance the leg members alternately with a stepping movement,and the leg element being arranged for lateral and longitudinal. motionduring said stepping movement to enable the rearward of the leg membersto lift for movement to forward position.

5. In a mechanism for walking movement, the combination of a supportingbody having means for preventing lateral oscillatory motion thereof; anda plurality of rigid leg elements. the leg elements comprising a bodyportion and members; the leg elements being caried by said supportingbody and arranged to swing when the supporting body is movedhorizontally upon a plane surface tactable with advance the oral l andthe leg members said surface I o rnately by latone g members to tudinaloscilh mmrcme thereof stepp movement, and the le elements being I angedfor lateral and longitudinal motion firing said stepping mov ent toenable the 1 members to L F ward oi the leg lift for movement to forwardposition ln mechanism for walking movement the combination of asupporting body having means for preventing lateral oscillatory motionthereof; and a leg; element; the supporting body being provided with aslot therein inclined. vertically from the front to the rear of thesupporting body; the leg element being substantially inverted V-shapeand comprising a body portion and leg members, the body portion beingreceived in the slot of the supporting Dody and arranged to provideswinging '10V6- ment of the leg element w ion the supporting bocy ismoved horizontally upon a plane surface and thereby to advance the logmembers alternately with a stepping movement,

8. li'n a mechanism for walking movement the combination. of a supgoiibody having means for preventing lateral oscillatory motion thereof; anda element; the supporting body being provided with a slot thereininclined vertically from the front to the rear of the supporting body;the leg element being substantially of inverted V- shape and comprisingbody portion and leg members, the bod portion beino' re ceived in theslot of the upper-ting oody nd arranged to provide swinging movenent ofthe leg element when the supporting Jody is moved horizontally on aplane sur face and thereby to advance the leg members alte "nately witha stepping movement, and the leg element being arranged for lateral andlongitudinal motion during said stepping movement to enable the rearwardthe leg members to lift for movement to rorward position.

9. in a mechanism for walking movement, the combination of a supportingbody hav- 'iig means for preventing lateral oscillatory l Votionthereof; and a leg element; the leg element comprising a body portionand leg members and being carried by the supporting bony and connectedthereto for swinging movement whereby when the supporting body is movedhorizontally upon a plane su face the leg members are alternatelyadvances with a stepping movement; the center line of the leg elementwhen the leg members are substantially transverse to the supporting bodybeing in advance of a vertical line drawn from the point of connectionof the leg element through the sup-= porting body to said plane surface,and as the leg members during said stepping movement assuire positionlongitudinally with the suppoi 111g body said center linechangingrearwardly of said vertical line whereby the forward leg memberis permitted to reach its advanced point clear of said plane surfacewhile the weight of the supporting body is sustained by the rearward legmember, said center line during the stepping movement changing furtherrearwardly of said vertical line whereby the forward leg member causedto come to rest upon the plane surface and the rearward leg member to belifted therefrom for movement to advanced position.

:ln witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

CHARLES JAMES HARVEY.

Witnesses v ar. Jonrisronm l-lAnowIoK.

